How to Become an Occupational Therapist in Utah
Utah is home to the Great Salt Lake and also some of the best skiing in the country. Utah is also a great state to become a licensed Occupational Therapist in. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Utah had approximately 500 licensed Occupational Therapists working in the state in the year 2010. Currently, the BLS is expecting that the Occupational Therapy profession will grow at a rate 33% higher than the average for all professions in the years 2010 to 2020. The BLS has also found information in the 2010 census highlighting that an Occupational Therapist in Utah had a mean yearly salary of $75,470.
The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing is responsible for licensing and regulating occupational therapy professionals in this state. There are two levels of licensure in Utah the Occupational Therapy Assistant and the Occupational Therapist. While you are waiting to sit for your examination you can apply for a temporary license to practice at either level. Temporary licenses require that you work under the direct supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist who has a minimum of one year of licensure with the state.
If you want to become an Occupational Therapist in Utah, or an Occupational Therapy Assistant you will need to follow these steps:
Utah Phyiscal Therapy Certificate and License Requirements
UT Occupational Therapy Assistant Requirements:
- You must earn an Associate’s degree or higher in Occupational Therapy Assistant program from an American Occupational
- Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) certified school.
- Performed at least 2 months of occupational therapy work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed Occupational therapist.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Pass the National Board of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT) COTA examination.
- Utah does not require Continuing Education to renew a license.
- You can find the application form to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant here.
UT Occupational Therapist Requirements:
- You must earn a Bachelor or Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) certified school.
- Performed at least 6 months of occupational therapy work experience as part of an internship under a licensed Occupational Therapist.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Pass the NBCOT OTR examination.
- Utah does not require Continuing Education to renew a license.
- You can find the online application form to become an Occupational Therapist here.
To learn more about how to become an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant in Utah, please peruse the following steps.
Step 1: Graduate from an ACOTE Certified School
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
You must graduate from an ACOTE certified degree program with at least an Associate’s degree to become licensed as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Utah. Utah has one school with the necessary accreditation:
- Salt Lake Community College
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
You must have graduated from an ACOTE accredited school with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree to practice as a Licensed Occupational Therapist in Utah. There is one school in Utah with the necessary accreditation:
- University of Utah
Step 2: Fulfill the Supervised Clinical Experience Requirement
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
If you wish to practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Utah, you must complete at least two months of clinical occupational therapy work under the supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist.
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
To obtain licensure as an Occupational Therapist in Utah, you must first complete at least six months of clinical occupational therapy work under the supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist.
Step 3: Pass the National Certification Exam
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
Prior to state licensing, you must become nationally certified as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. To achieve certification, you must take the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and score at least in the 70th percentile.
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
If you wish to practice as a Licensed Occupational Therapist in the United States, you must become nationally certified by taking the Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) exam offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and scoring at least in the 70th percentile.
Step 4: Apply for Utah State License
You must complete the following procedure in order to obtain a Utah state license as an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant:
- Submit a signed and completed application
- Provide a check or money order for the $70 licensing fee
- Request the NBCOT forward a score report or a Verification of Certification to the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
- Request that all attended colleges forward an official transcript
- Request a Verification of Licensure from all states in which you have practiced
Allow up to six weeks for the licensing board to review your qualifications and issue a license.
Step 5: Maintain Licensure
Occupational Therapy Assistant:
You must pay a license renewal fee of $47 to renew your Occupational Therapy Assistant license.
Licensed Occupational Therapist:
To renew your licensed as an Occupational Therapist, you must pay a renewal fee of $47.
If you would like additional information, please contact the following organizations: